National
Suklaphanta to shift some of its swamp deer
Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve is planning to translocate swamp deer, locally known as Barasingha, to Bardiya National Park and Chitwan National Park. The SWR has the highest number of swamp deer (2,300 as per last year’s count) in the country.Bhawani Bhatta
Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve is planning to translocate swamp deer, locally known as Barasingha, to Bardiya National Park and Chitwan National Park. The SWR has the highest number of swamp deer (2,300 as per last year’s count) in the country.
Gopal Ghimire, assistant conservation officer at the SWR, said as per the decision of the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, they plan to relocate 15 swamp deer to the BNP in the first phase.
“The plan is to translocate the deer to Bardiya within two months,” said Ghimire.
“We are currently constructing deer pen to facilitate the translocation process,” he added.
Bed Kumar Dhakal, chief conservation officer at the SWR, said they were going to shift the swamp deer to improve their breeding. Although there are few swamp deer in the BNP, Dhakal believes that the planned translocation will improve the survival rate of swamp deer.
Dhakal added they also plan to shift some swamp deer to the CNP. However, the CNP has not made any preparations yet.
The SWR, which spread across 305 sq km, is an ideal habitat for swamp deer. Works conducted by the SWR towards the management of swam deer habitat, wetland protection and wildlife smuggling have led to a remarkable increase in the number of swamp deer population.